Question about Express Pass and Universal's Loews Royal Resort

[cens0rship]

I'm trying to plan our vacation which includes a stop in Orlando to go to the Harry Potter Park at Universal's Island of Adventures. We would like to stay at Universal's Loews Royal Pacific Resort not only because of the proximity but also because of the express pass it includes since we will only be able to go to the park for one day. We are also going to only stay at the hotel one night. So my question is, Would it be better to check in on Saturday night (we'll make it there around midnight) and check out Sunday or would we be able to get the pass if we check in on Sunday ( I see check in time isn't until 4 pm.) We're going to stay one of these nights at a cheaper hotel we just need to determine which night to check in to royal.

I appreciate all the help I can get as this is my first big get away and i'm easily confused lol.

[434Teresa]

either I think will be ok... the best thing do do is to call and see if you can use the pass on either check in day. As for which will be the better place to stay I think you will find that the cheaper place will be just as good, we did..We have been 3 times and the main hotels are not as they are cracked up to be just cost more..

[434Teresa]

p.s. I hope you can get a room at the Universal's Loews Royal Pacific Resort still..you better call and if you can make the plains now, or the rooms may all be gone when you call back, this is a very busy time of year there...

[cens0rship]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably try to call this week. We're planning for middle of August so I hope I still have a little time. I was planning on paying that first to make sure we have it locked. I think the main reason we wanted to stay there was the proximity and the express pass since we only have way day to visit the park and since it just opened I heard lines were running 90 minutes or more for a single ride.

However we are planning on staying at a cheaper hotel for one of the two nights so if you have any suggestions on ones you stayed and liked I'd love to hear'em! :)

[jolly321]

From my experience with this same hotel and Express Pass, the pass would be good for two days if you are staying one night. Therefore, if you check in on Saturday, the pass would be good on Saturday and Sunday. If you check in Sunday, it would be good Sunday and Monday. I would suggest you check in Saturday night, therefore, you can get to the park early on Sunday and have all day there. The pass itself has the days on it that you are staying in the hotel. For instance: 6/26/10 - 6/27/10 if you stayed this weekend. You can use this pass until close the day of checkout.

[jolly321]

But to read this more and getting a cheaper hotel locally, use the nice hotel on Sunday night stay and enjoy the pool too, when you leave the park. It is FABULOUS!!!!

[DK98TK]

The pass is good for 2 days but even though check in is 4:00 p.m. you can get there at 8:00 a.m. and take advantage of the hotel facilities and the fast pass, they will even hold your luggage until your room is ready, you just check in and get your hotel key and that is your pass and they will call you when your room is ready, but as crowded as everybody says it is right now because of the Harry Potter opening I would not go without a fast pass.

[aimeebee]

My parents took my daughter on Thursday and Friday of last week. They waited 90 mins for Harry Potter on Thurs. But the wait time on Friday was between 3 and 5 hours all day long. Probably got worse for Sat & Sun. Mom said they were lined up for an hour or longer to wait for butter beer and wands. It may be a little better by August. BUT, you cannot use the Express Pass on Harry Potter. Everyone has to wait in that line.